A 1950s train carriage that was once used by royalty and visiting heads of state has been given a makeover by the king of eccentricity, Wes Anderson.

The director partnered with travel company Belmond, which operates classic British Pullman trains across the UK, to bring his trademark whimsical touch to one of its historic Cygnus train cars. Anderson has used trains as the backdrop for several films, including The Darjeeling Limited – which featured a journey aboard a fictional railway line – and leapt at the opportunity to design his own carriage.

Wes Anderson describes the carriage as ‘an endangered species of travel which is nevertheless very suited to our time’ – echoing current conversations around reducing plane journeys in favour of more train trips.

His interiors hark back to a grand old age of train travel with intricate wood marquetry,  patterned grassy velvet seats and swan-shaped champagne coolers. Signature Anderson touches can be read in symmetrical lines, its unique colour palette and rectilinear art deco flourishes.

There’s room for 26 aboard the carriage, with passenger experiences ranging from a ‘murder mystery’ day ticket to a white-linen dinner service.

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